TRIGGER WARNING!
This website contains poetry and true stories about trauma, personality disorders, suicidal thoughts, self-harming, depression and other significant mental health issues, as well as personal stories of emotional neglect and physical and sexual abuse, which some people might find disturbing.
Poetry for Mental Health
Supporting people with mental health challenges by motivating and inspiring them to write poetry.
"Probably the largest and most visited website for poetry and mental health on the net!"
"Poetry for Mental Health was formed at the outbreak of Covid; helping people cope mentally by inspiring them to write poetry. Four years, four books, hundreds of poets, and thousands of pieces of poetry later, we are still inspiring people to write poetry for positive mental health! However, this website is run voluntarily, and with no private funding or grants, and we now need help to continue. There are three ways you can do this: 1) Subscribe to our monthly magazine (it is very cheap!), 2) Donate (every little helps!), or sponsor Poetry for Mental Health."
Poetry for Mental Health does not make a profit - EVERYTHING goes back into publishing and promoting poetry for positive mental health.
ROBIN BARRATT - Founder POETRY FOR MENTAL HEALTH
"No matter what your age, background and experience, culture or identity; whether an established writer with many published titles to your credit, or an aspiring poet who has never written a word of poetry in your life, our philosophy here is to embrace, welcome and support everyone, everywhere suffering from mental health challenges, and help you cope through words and poetry ...
Get writing!"
Today's Featured Poem ...
02nd May 2024
DIFFERENT
By Jason Kirk Bartley
It's not fun to be different,
the outcast or the nerd,
it's not fun to be different,
our voices seldom heard,
but we can be unique,
that speaks volumes and volumes of
ourselves,
We can be who we want to,
not just try to fit in,
Some of us are a little different
from what others want us to be,
Some will not be our friends,
We're happy with who we are
and brave enough to see,
that we're an original shining star,
with so much to give,
by the life we live,
and so many talents, gifts, and skills
to help us along our way,
We love our lives to the fullest,
and we're not scared to say,
"Please do not try and make us conform!"
A lot of times the most brilliant and artistic go against the norm.
ABOUT THE POEM: "I wrote this poem because I know life is hard and not everyone takes it the same way. Some are a little different, and that is okay. We do not have to be like everyone else. We fit in by our unique personalities. That's what makes this world a better place - We all are different. That's okay."
ABOUT JASON: Jason is 48 years old and paranoid schizophrenic, but very stable on his medicine, and with his doctors. He has won many writing awards, and has been published in various places. He has a master's degree in ministry from Ohio Christian University in Circleville, Ohio. He is married to Nila, his forever love.
CLICK HERE for more Featured Poetry.
“Poetry can be mind-bogglingly confusing or ever-so simple. It can be several pages of complicated verse, or just a few simple, easy-to-read words. But one thing we know for sure is that poetry is a story, a journey, or indeed a statement, and this is created by a careful composition of words and structure, with a sole purpose of evoking strong feeling or emotion. Poetry is about form (however that is defined), purpose, and establishing your voice.”
Books
Click on the covers for further details. With thousands of contributions from hundreds of writers and poets around the world, our anthologies are probably some of the largest collections on mental health ever published. All our titles are now
FREE TO DOWNLOAD as pdf e-books, however, please buy a copy too, as ALL profits from the sales of our titles go towards promoting poetry for positive mental health.
We have started to compile MENTAL HEALTH Vol.2. CLICK HERE to contribute. You can also sponsor this title. Contact us for further details.
Magazine
New for 2024!!!
Our
NEW monthly
Poetry for Mental Health magazine featuring poetry on the topics and themes of mental health from writers and poets around the world, as well as lots of poetry writing advice, tips & techniques, articles, essays, poet profiles, personal stories, and a forthcoming regular poetry competition!
"Probably the only magazine in the world exclusively dedicated to poetry for mental health!"
CLICK BELOW FOR AN EXAMPLE MAGAZINE (issue 1)
Featured Poets
Featuring almost 60 individual poets with up to six pieces of their work. a little about the author, and their contact / social media details.
"People can benefit from writing poetry because it can take the images and the talk in your head and transfer it to paper. It’s like getting the words out of your head so that they don’t linger there."
Nadine Dunseith (contributor)
Featured Poetry (2024)
Lots more poetry on the themes of mental health, from poets around the world.
Contribute
Showcase your poetry for mental health here on this website, in our new monthly e-zine, and on our Facebook page.
Writing Better Poetry
COMING SOON ... A range of tasks, techniques and exercises to help you write better poetry.
Publish your Poetry Collection
Do you have a full collection of poetry you would like to see published? Would you like to share your mental health poetry with others? Contact us for inexpensive self-publishing options in both paperback and Kindle, via the global Amazon platforms.
Help & Support
Charities, groups and organisations worldwide offering mental health help and support to people in crisis.
Mental Health First Aid
Identifying warning signs of common mental health crisis, and how to guide a person towards safety and appropriate help. Read more ...
Sponsorship
If you are a business, organisation or a philanthropic individual passionate about promoting positive mental health through words and poetry, then consider sponsoring Poetry for Mental Health.
Donate
Please donate to Poetry for Mental Health, every little helps, and EVERYTHING goes back into running the website and publishing poetry.
STAY CONNECTED
Be kept updated with our news and calls for submissions, or CLICK HERE to send us a message.
QUICK LINKS
HOME - Magazine - Publications - Featured Poetry - Featured Poets - Contribute - Mental Health Support - Mental Health First Aid - Sponsorship - Donate - Contact - Self Publishing Guide
CONTACT
DONATE
Poetry for Mental Health receives no funding or grants, so please donate; every little helps, and EVERYTHING goes back into running the website and publishing poetry.
